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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
The Department of Health and Human Services has among its responsibilities the task of protecting the
health of our nation. Two agencies within the department that enforce laws related to this goal are the
Public Health Service and the Food and Drug Administration. Federal Public Health Officers inspect or
direct the inspection of public facilities for health hazards and for adherence to accepted standards. They
also have the power to impose quarantines and to prohibit the sale of unsafe milk or dairy products. Federal
Food and Drug Inspectors enforce legal standards set down in federal laws regarding purity, potency,
safety, and proper labeling of essential commodities used by the public.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
As custodian of the natural resources of our country, the Department of the Interior uses some law
enforcement personnel. They are stationed in places such as fish and wildlife preserves, historic sites,
territories, reservations, and island possessions of the United States. The National Park Service, for
example, employs Park Rangers, who enforce laws on federal lands and perform other duties including
search and rescue, visitor assistance, and park management.
U.S. Park Police Officers enforce federal law in the District of Columbia, Gateway National
Recreation Area in New York and New Jersey, and Golden Gate National Recreation Area in
San Francisco.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
The Department of Labor has among its many duties the responsibility of enforcing laws that protect
American workers from abuses, that improve and make safe their working conditions, and that ensure
equal opportunities in securing employment. The department employs personnel to investigate violations
and to pursue criminal and civil court actions for illegal acts under the labor laws. Other laws enforced
are in the areas of occupational safety and health, wages and hours, employment and training,
employment security, veterans' programs, and worker's compensation, to name a few.
U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE
The U.S. Marshals Service operates under the general authority of the U.S. Attorney General in the courts
of the various federal districts throughout the United States. In each of the 94 U.S. judicial districts, a U.S.
Marshal is appointed by the President of the United States to be responsible for directing the activities
of Deputy U.S. Marshals and supportive staff. Marshals are present at federal court proceedings and carry
out such responsibilities as maintaining order, removing unruly persons, accompanying and guarding
prisoners, serving orders of the court, and generally assisting the court in carrying out decisions.
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE
The U.S. Postal Service's investigative agency is the oldest federal law enforcement unit in existence.
Postal Inspectors engage in more than 250 different types of investigations pertaining to postal operations
and illegal activities involving the mail. They conduct criminal investigations of mail thefts and losses
caused by damage or destruction of postal property. Other responsibilities include providing security for
